The Evolution of Community Global Crisis Intervention and Disaster Response
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The Evolution of Community/Global Crisis
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The Evolution of Community/Global Crisis Intervention and Disaster Response
Grand Canyon University
PCN 681: Community and Global Disaster Response
Professor Sonja Maxwell
November 1, 2023
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The Evolution of Community/Global Crisis Intervention and Disaster Response
The term "crisis intervention" comprises a diverse array of acts. An individual
experiencing a crisis might be characterized as someone who perceives a particular situation as
highly distressing and, during their subsequent evaluation, is unable to identify any effective
strategies to manage their dilemma (Poal, 1990). The comprehension of the concept of crisis is of
utmost importance for mental health professionals, given the substantial number of individuals
who actively seek assistance during periods of acute distress. In this situation, possessing the
knowledge and skills required to restore equilibrium would prove advantageous. This paper aims
to explore the idea of combat trauma and its implications for individuals and communities.
Additionally, it will analyze the evolution of interventions designed to address battle trauma.
Furthermore, the historical progression of crisis intervention will be investigated, including
examining different crises and their contributions to creating crisis intervention strategies.
Historical Evolution of Community/Global Crisis Intervention
The Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in 1942 is a paradigmatic example of emergency
response. A total of 400 individuals lost their lives as a consequence of this catastrophic event
(James & Gilliland, 2017). Dr. Gerald Caplan, a medical professional involved in treating the
survivor's family member, drew upon his expertise to develop strategies for effectively
conveying the nature of a crisis. The Wellesley project, a mental health initiative, was a
collaborative effort between Drs. Lindemann and Gerald. At the aforementioned establishment,
individuals were provided aid to patients who had experienced traumatic events, including ladies
who underwent premature childbirth during the period of World War II. The cohort of individuals
born between 1946 and 1964 is commonly referred to as the baby boomers, representing a
significant portion of the current generation. Crisis intervention has been a prominent component
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within the realm of mental health since its inception in 1957. Establishing a support network for
individuals experiencing mental health issues. The inaugural endeavor to develop a structured
approach to crisis intervention occurred in 1960. Consequently, there was an emergence of
suicide prevention centers, hotlines, crisis centers, and other related organizations (Poal, 1990).
The hypotheses were generated as an outcome (Black et al., 2020). According to systems theory
(Black et al., 2020), crises arise due to the interplay between individuals and external factors.
According to adaptation theory (Black et al., 2020), individuals possess the capacity to surmount
profound negativity by actively pursuing alternative experiences that are characterized by
positivity, thereby replacing the negative ones. In times of crisis, individuals tend to depend on
the social support and acceptance of their immediate social circle, as posited by interpersonal
theory.
Diverse Crises
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A crisis can be categorized into six fundamental classifications. According to Poal (1990), there
are six distinct types of crises that individuals may experience. These include dispositional crises,
crises associated with anticipated life changes, trauma stress crises, crises related to maturity and
development, psychopathology crises, and psychiatric emergencies. The counselor's ability to
classify a client's problem into distinct categories relies on their proficiency in those areas.
Individuals can gather the necessary resources to address their challenges through proactive
efforts. Dispositional crises arise from issues that can be effectively addressed through the
provision of knowledge and education, appropriate referrals, and the implementation of policy
reforms (Poal, 1990). Transitional crises are an inevitable occurrence, exemplified by instances
that escalate beyond manageable proportions (Poal, 1990). An individual's emotional breakdown,
which is triggered by external trauma or stress, has been discussed in previous literature (Poal,
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1990). Engaging in relationships that mirror one's unresolved concerns can potentially lead to a
maturational crisis, as suggested by Poal (1990). According to Poal (1990), the occurrence of a
psychopathological crisis poses challenges to the process of settlement. Currently, there exists a
pervasive and substantial decline in the provision of psychiatric emergency treatment (Poal,
1990).
Evolution of Combat Trauma/ Post- traumatic stress disorder
Combat trauma is a prevalent phenomenon observed within military contexts, and its
manifestations can be observed across other situations. Instances such as sustaining injuries or
experiencing fatalities during training sessions or real combat scenarios. Individuals from this
particular group exhibit a heightened susceptibility to the development of post-traumatic stress
disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can arise as a result
of a traumatic incident that an individual has either experienced or observed. There are eight
criteria, each of which may be accompanied by optional specifications. Individuals who have
experienced battle trauma have a higher probability of satisfying the diagnostic criteria outlined
in the DSM-5 for conditions such as death, injury, or sexual violence (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013). Four observable signals fulfill the requirements of Criteria A. Horrific
experiences encompass several forms of involvement, such as direct personal engagement in the
incident, observation of the event, realization that it has affected a loved one, or enduring
recurrent exposure to the tragic occurrence (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Evolution of Individual and Community Interventions
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The Role of Individual and Community Efforts in the Treatment of Combat Trauma Various
interventions have been implemented to provide support and aid to individuals who are
experiencing the consequences of war-related trauma. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
currently manages a network of more than 200 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment
clinics catering to active military personnel and veterans. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
therapies encompass a range of interventions, such as comprehensive evaluation and potential
pharmacotherapy, cognitive processing therapy, family and group therapy, as well as specialized
therapy tailored to veterans who have served in conflict zones. By implementing these solutions,
the community supports an individual experiencing a challenging situation. In the preceding
sections, we have analyzed the historical progression of crisis intervention, explored the diverse
categories of crises and their influence on this evolutionary process, delved into the
characteristics of combat trauma, and investigated the origins of both individual and collective
reactions to this matter. A comprehensive understanding of crisis and its antecedents is crucial for
mental health professionals. The individuals will assist clients across diverse situations,
necessitating a thorough understanding of their responsibilities
.
Conclusion
The concept of "crisis intervention" encompasses a diverse array of activities that can be
applied in various contexts. Additionally, this study will examine the progress made in the
development of therapeutic interventions for military-related trauma. Moreover, this study aims
to investigate the historical development of crisis intervention strategies by analyzing past crises
and their impact on the evolution of crisis intervention methodologies. The phrase "baby
boomer" denotes a generational cohort born between 1946 and 1964. The objective of this study
is to design and implement a comprehensive care system tailored to meet the needs of
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individuals who have mental illness. According to interpersonal theory, individuals seek solace
and validation from their immediate social circle, including close friends and family members,
when experiencing emotional distress. The counselor's capacity to classify the client's problem
depends on their proficiency in these domains. Intensified pre-existing challenges are commonly
observed as illustrative cases of inevitable transitional crises (Poal, 1990)—instances such as
sustaining injuries or experiencing fatalities within a simulated or authentic combat scenario.
Due to the extensive range of client scenarios in which these professionals will assist, they must
possess comprehensive familiarity with their assigned activities.
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References
American Psychiatric Association, D. S. M. T. F., & American Psychiatric Association.
(2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (Vol. 5, No. 5).
Washington, DC: American psychiatric association.
Black, L. L. L., Black, L. L., & Flynn, S. V. (2020). Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster: A
Clinician′ s Guide. SAGE Publications.
Poal, Pilar. (1990). Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Crisis Intervention.
Quaderns de Psicología. 10.5565/rev/qpsicologia.609.
James, R., & Gilliland, B. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (8th ed.). Cengage.